Public-private partnerships key in improving healthcare provision in the country
The Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi together with MEC for Health, Ms Qedani Mahlangu and Johnson & Johnson representatives commemorated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Burn Treatment Centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Thursday.
The Burn Treatment Centre was established in 1991 in a public-private partnership with Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest and most diversified healthcare company, as a treatment and teaching centre for medical professionals from across all parts of Africa. Johnson and Johnson provide support to the facility in form of equipment, consumable products, and educational support for management and medical personnel.
The centre, a successful public-private partnership has enabled the Gauteng community and surrounding provinces access to world class multi-disciplinary burn wound care management.
A timely and specialised care to adult and paediatric burn patients thereby increasing the survival rates among critically injured patients has been offered by the centre in past 25 years.
In the same period the centre has made over 18 000 admissions while performing around 14 500 surgical procedures. The centre admits 300 adult patients and 600 paediatric patients annually.
Since its opening, the centre has successfully assisted in training medical personnel from nine African countries – Malawi, DRC, Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, Libya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.
Commenting on the 25th anniversary MEC for Health in Gauteng, Ms Qedani Mahlangu said: “This partnership has endured for years and demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together, the private sector and the public service. We commend Johnson and Johnson for this centre and continued support over the years.
The centre, through its educational and training component has also benefitted the continent. Medical personnel have been trained at the facility coming as far afield as Libya and Ethiopia to mention but two. We look forward to the next 25 years quality healthcare service.”
Johnson and Johnson’s Director of Corporate Citizenship for Africa, Ian Walker said: “We’re really proud of this partnership and what the Bara Burns teams have achieved over their 25 years of service. The Bara Burns Unit is a Centre of Excellence for Burn treatment and surgical skills on the continent and we wish them continued success”.
Sales and Marketing Director for Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices in South Africa, Leanne Cook expressed her pride in the partnership – “Through this collaboration, we’re contributing to strengthening healthcare capacity on the continent which, in turn, will ensure more of our people receive the specialist care and treatment that they deserve”.
The Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi echoed MEC Mahlangu’s sentiments and thanked Johnson and Johnson for its support and said the Burns Unit could rival the best in the world.
Siyathemba Kunene (28) of Soweto who was admitted at the centre in July with second degree burn wounds commended staff for their expertise and said without their care he doubts he would have been able to have full function on his left arm.
“Bara Burns Unit staff was exceptional during the three months (July-October) I spent at the ward. From doctors to nurses and cleaning personnel everyone had patient’s best interest at heart. I still go for wound dressings as an outpatient at the unit.
“Words alone cannot describe how grateful I am for treatment I got from the hospital. The treatment was holistic as in addition to doctors and nurses we had occupational therapists, physiotherapist and social workers who helped us come to terms with our situation and they gave us hope. I can use my left arm now it’s all thanks to the staff,” said Kunene.
Enquiries:
Steve Mabona
MEC Mahlangu
Spokesperson
Cell: 072 574 3860
Joe Maila
Health Ministry spokesperson
Cell: 082 887 3581
Laura Nel
Johnson & Johnson: Communication and Public Affairs Leader
Tel: 021 710 4511
Cell: 083 357 8938
